Method and system for reduced distributed event handling in a network environment

Abstract

The present disclosure details a system, apparatus and method for reducing the redundant handling of distributed network events. In one aspect, a proxy node is selected from a plurality of network nodes and an associated network management station (“NMS”) preferably addresses only the distributed events received from the proxy node. In an alternate embodiment, non-proxy nodes may be limited to reporting node-specific events to the NMS, resulting in a reduction of the number of distributed events received and processed by the NMS to those sent by the proxy node. The proxy node may be selected by the NMS or by the network nodes, in alternate implementations. Availability of the proxy node may be monitored and ensured by the network nodes or by the NMS. The selection of a proxy node is generally repeated upon the addition of nodes to the network or a lapse in proxy node availability.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . A method for reducing distributed event message traffic and processing in a computer network comprising: 
 selecting a current proxy node and at least one non-proxy node from a plurality of network nodes, the selection of the current proxy node performed by the network nodes;    configuring the current proxy node to report distributed events to a network management station; and    configuring the current proxy node and the non-proxy nodes to report node-specific events to the network management station.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising selecting a new proxy node in response to current proxy node unavailability.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein selection of the new proxy node is performed by the non-proxy nodes.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising processing by the network management station the distributed and node-specific events according to at least one network management setting.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising monitoring availability of the current proxy node by at least one non-proxy node.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising exchanging an existing proxy node selection between the network nodes participating in selection of the current proxy node.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising selecting the new proxy node according to the existing proxy node selection if there are no conflicts between the existing proxy node selections.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  further comprising determining whether there is a conflict among the existing proxy node selections.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising selecting the new proxy node according to a rule in response to the existence of a conflict between the existing proxy node selections exchanged by the network nodes.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the rule selects the new proxy node according to a time stamp associated with the exchanged existing proxy node selections.  
   
   
       27 - 42 . (canceled)